Martin Roper, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Boston Beer Company, who led the company for more than 17 years, announced plans to retire in 2018. The Board of Directors created a search committee to assist in “identifying and evaluating best candidates to succeed Roper.” Roper said he has advised the Board of Directors of his retirement plans a year in advance to ensure a “very smooth transition and full and thorough search process for my replacement.” Jim Koch, Founder and Chairman of The Boston Beer Company said, “With the strong leadership team he has built, we are set up for success, and I am confident we will find a very capable CEO to step into his big shoes and lead Boston Beer into the future.”